Wildwood
// Shelley Wong
There are lingering signs of the retro heyday on this New Jersey jetty
Still a doo-wop resort town among these block condos
It’s Roman Holiday, Isle of Capri against the sky
The names burst forth with zippy shooting stars
A sign for every letter blinks
neon neon neon
The off-peak visitor inspects the property and finds the palm fronds missing from the trunks
This side and that side is the sea, the boardwalk, the sweets economy
Add “crest” to the name and the price goes up
ditto to “heights” and “villa”
The strollers come to be part of the new revival
The populace quadruples and wears the same outfit
Motels curve around the evaporating pools
Pancake houses flap and hot dog stands stack up
The grease comes with the territory and
this seashore will last all season
until it’s time for the rerun